The Slow Work

One of the good things about climbing on the tractor with the bush hog attached is what shows up behind the tractor.  Tall weeds and grass under the pecan trees which creates a picture of unkept chaos in front of the tractor is transformed into a neat and orderly look where the tractor has been.  After having spent a lifetime of working where the results were often not seen right away and sometimes never seen, it has been nice to be able to look back and see in the moment the results of the work being done.   And, as this is true here on the farm, so is it true for the urban dweller who cuts the grass around the house.    

We often wish our Kingdom work could provide such immediate gratification, but one of the truths we learn early about Kingdom work is that the results are often not seen.  Each of us can remember people who are a part of our past who had a hand in getting us on the road of faith, but it took so long for us to come to our spiritual senses that they were not around to see it.  It has worked the same for us as we have invested ourselves in the lives of others.  Sometimes we may see the results, but most of the time, someone else does.    

Kingdom work is slow work.  It is described in the Scripture as the work of the sower.  (Matthew 13)  "A sower went out to sow."  When the seed is cast into the ground, it is covered up and disappears from sight.  And it does not germinate and come forth from the dirt tomorrow.  It may be ten days or two weeks before there is any evidence that a seed has been cast into the dirt.  What we do for Christ will last, but it may take awhile before there is any evidence that the work has been done.